Arrrrrrrrrrgust

No, it isn't "Talk like a Pirate" day.  Or, at least I don't think it is.  Either way, that's not the cause of today's title.  Arrrrrrrrrrrrrgust is the term used by my former co-workers for busy season.  It lasts from the middle of July to the middle of September.  And considering, even in my current job, it's still going to be busy season, I'm still claiming usage of the word.  For the past month, I haven't traveled...at all...which is kinda nice.  It's been a nice break, especially considering what I'm gearing up for. 

Logistically, at the moment, I am as prepared as I can be.  My flights, hotels, and rental cars are booked.  Knowing that at any moment, those are going to need to be changed, because another trip is getting thrown into the mix.  And the reality of me walking through the airport on my way to one destination, and seeing if I can squeeze in another trip is likely.

But mentally, I've been avoiding the subject like the plague.

Avoidance is the best option for dealing like situations like this.

Said no one ever. 

Ok...so I've been skimming the surface of the subject.  On one hand, instead of having 3 jobs to do this year, I only have to focus on 1 job.  Woohoo!!  But this is my 4th Arrrrrrrrrgust...and I know better.  I know better than to think that only doing this one job this year is going to be easy.  Because the next month is going to be anything but easy. 

A lot of people, upon hearing what I do, tell me I have a pretty sweet gig.  And I admit, I do.  I get to work when I want to.  Not work when I don't want to.  And I get to travel.  All valid points.  But the reality of my job isn't always easy.  There are a lot of times when my job makes me really sad.  Let me explain...

1) Early Childhood Education tends to be one of those fields that, in some cases, definitely not all, people tend to fall into because they're not qualified to do anything else.  And of course, Early Childhood is just "babysitting."  Or, at least, that's what a lot of people think it is.  When in reality it's so much more.  The first 5 years of a child's life are so important, and they learn so much in those 5 years, that if they don't get the right start, with the right help from the beginning, it could affect the rest of their life.  And when teachers don't have a passion for helping young children right from the beginning, bad things happen.  So it makes me sad when I go into schools, and I see teachers that could care less about the valuable information I'm giving them, that will, without question, make their jobs easier, and better, and allow them to be a more positive influence to the children they work with.  And to see teachers that just don't care makes me really sad. 

2) Traveling, by yourself, sucks.  I love to travel, don't get me wrong.  I absolutely couldn't do this job if I didn't like to travel.  But traveling for work really isn't as glamorous as one might think.  Airports are full of two types of people.  1) Families or couples going on vacation.  2) Lonely business travelers, who you often see sitting by themselves, eating dinner by themselves, and doing everything else you can possibly do in an airport...alone.  Not to mention the fact that you get to watch all of those families/couples getting ready for a week of fun.  I have literally spent countless nights all alone in a hotel room, watching bad TV and eating take out/room service...because I'm in the middle of nowhere, and there isn't anything fun to do. 

Past history tells me that by the end of August, I am going to be burnt out, cranky, and a real joy to be around.  In the past, I have spent 6 weeks away from home, where I might only make an appearance for a total of 24 hours before I was off to another destination.  My own roommate thought that I had basically moved out.  And there were people in my office who thought I was only some mystical being that didn't actually exist in reality. 

But this year is different.  I keep telling myself that.  I'm in a different position.  I only have this one thing to do.  I'm living in a different place.  I have family close by.  Things are different.  But I guess you could say that I'm still not being overly positive.  And maybe I'm a little scared too.  I know some of the mental anxiety that this time of year can bring, and I'm not looking forward to it.  Because, I assure you, for all the cranky that I'm sharing with the world, what's going on in my head is a million times worse.  And no matter how many friends you have...this time of year gets lonely.  Really lonely.

So I guess you could say at this point, I'm hoping for the best, but expecting the worst.